Floyd County

Emergency Management

About EMA

Floyd County EMA is in charge of planning initiatives to prevent emergency situations, reduce vulnerability during disasters, and protect residents from the effects of a crisis. The EMA is ready to respond effectively and efficiently to actual emergencies and to provide for rapid recovery from any emergency or disaster affecting Floyd County.Floyd County is recognized by the National Weather Service as a StormReady Community.

Phases of Emergency Management

The following represents the four phases of emergency management practiced to protect life and property from the effects of emergency situations.

Mitigation refers to those activities which may reduce the occurrence of an emergency or the effects of a natural or man-made disaster. Large amounts of damage can be prevented if the time is taken to anticipate and plan for these events. The impact of a disaster can be lessened as well as the speed of the response and recovery processes if planning is completed.Mitigation activities include legislation, inspections, building codes, risk mapping, land use management, dams and levees, structural changes and/or a local hazard mitigation plan. A preventable measure, for instance, is to enforce the local building codes to minimize injuries and/or deaths due to electrical fires, falling decks or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Preparedness actions exist prior to an emergency to support and enhance disaster response. Evaluating which disasters are most likely to occur in Floyd County and formulating written plans outlining the response to each event is the first step. All emergency response personnel from all disciplines are then trained on these plans using test exercises designed as a trial for the effectiveness of the plans. Preparedness activities include issuing forecasts and warnings, mandatory evacuations, coordination and contingency planning, local emergency operations plan, budgeting and purchasing equipment, recruiting personnel and training exercises, performing vulnerability analysis and educating the public. Another important aspect of preparedness is community awareness. It is vital that our residents know what hazards may affect their community and how to prepare for the effects. Floyd County EMA offers a wide range of classes for individuals, civic groups, community associations and day care providers. Anyone interested in receiving information concerning these classes may contact Tim Herrington, with Emergency Management at 706-236-5002 or e-mail herringtont@floydcountyga.org.

Response activities address the immediate and short-term effects of an emergency or disaster. These activities are designed to provide emergency assistance to victims of the event and reduce the likelihood of secondary damage. These activities include activation of an emergency operations center, issuing public communications and warnings, setting up a mobile communications unit, performing damage assessment, offering individual assistance and providing temporary housing or shelter. All first response agencies within Floyd County including the County Sheriff's Office, County Police Department, E-911 Center, Rome-Floyd County Fire Department, and City Police and Fire Departments have responsibilities in the County Emergency Operations Plan known as Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). Long before the disaster or emergency the agencies with responsibilities in the plan train on what they would do during all types of disastrous events. Click here for a complete list of Emergency Support Function Responsibilities. While government agencies are responding to these types of events, local Community Emergency Response Teams are providing aid to their communities. Learn more about CERT.

Recovery is the final phase of the emergency management cycle. Recovery continues until all systems return to normal, or near normal. Short-term recovery returns vital life support systems to minimum operating standards. Long-term recovery from a disaster may go on for years until the entire disaster area is completely redeveloped, either as it was in the past or for entirely new purposes that are less disaster-prone. Recovery efforts must first look at human needs such as food and shelter. The needs are met by both government and volunteer organizations who have pre-determine plans in place to respond to major disasters and emergencies. The Floyd County Office of Emergency Management has plans in place for the deployment of volunteer organizations in the event of a major disaster such as the American Red Cross, CERT and The Salvation Army.

Code Red is an emergency notification system that is provided to help protect the citizens of Floyd County when emergency alerts are required The majority of alerts are weather related but, they can include any type of situation that affects our citizens. Please take a moment to fill in the appropriate information below on the Code Red website. The Code Red Mobile App is also available to Floyd County residents at no charge.

A draft version of the Floyd County Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for review.

This Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is designed to protect both the unincorporated areas of the County as well as the Cities. Though the County facilitated this planning process, the Cities of Cave Spring and Rome provided critical input into the process. Without this mutual cooperation, the Plan would not exist in its present comprehensive form. Note: Please keep in mind that throughout this Plan, the term “county” typically refers to all of Floyd County, including the Cities of Cave Spring and Rome.

The Floyd County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) is made up of a variety of members. The Chairman of the HMPC is Tim Herrington. The Chairman’s responsibilities include all decisions relating to the overall direction of the Plan, retrieval of data from various departments, and serving as a central point of contact for all matters relating to the Plan. The consultant, NGCG, is responsible for facilitation of HMPC meetings, integration of updated data into the Plan, grant administration, and other administrative functions. Local government officials including County and City employees, Georgia Forestry, and Floyd Medical Center represented the HMPC. Representatives for utilities and local businesses were also extended an invitation to participate. Potential participants were invited either verbally or by email, depending upon the participant.